Hello Family,

When you read or hear someone mention our first Unitarian Universalist Principle, that calls us to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, do you believe it applies to you also?

I can recall a time during my teens and young adult years when I did not treat myself with worth and dignity.  And while I tried to treat others with worth and dignity, I still caused family and friends emotional pain.  I was recently reminded of that time of my life when I attended a retreat for UU Military Chaplains.

During my undergraduate studies, I joined ROTC and when I graduated I was commissioned as a 2LT in the U.S. Army.  After three years of escaping detection while serving in the Army Reserves, I failed a drug test two days after reporting for active duty and was separated from the Army nine months later.

After the deaths of my parents, those nine months and years to follow until I got clean and sober was the worst time of my life.  Needless to say, treating myself with worth and dignity after throwing away my military career was almost impossible.

Not until I sat in a circle with UU Military Chaplains did I realize that I had healed and forgiven myself for treating myself and the Army with disrespect.

So I ask you, do you treat yourself like you have inherent worth and dignity?  Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for?  What do you need to do to start the process of forgiving yourself?

As always, I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.

I Love You,

Rev. Monica

Hello Family,

I am sitting in my home office watching squirrels run across cable lines while reflecting on 2011.  Wow, it has been quite a year.  Most notable this past year is the publicity related to teen suicide because of bullying, and the Occupy Movement.

At first glance these topics seem to be unrelated.  However, after digging just a little below the surface, the connection becomes clear.  The common thread that connects the two is abuse of power.  For example, heterosexual youth who use their dominant cultural power to bully LGBTQ youth and CEO’s of banks and corporations who use their financial power to bully the unemployed, under-employed, poor and working class. Indeed, 2011 will be remembered as the year the 99% broke their silence to let the 1% know that bullying (physical, verbal, financial) destroys lives.

Finally, I invite you to reach out to family and friends who may be struggling with unemployment, depression or illness during this holiday season and let them know that they are not alone.  Conversely, if you are suffering with depression, please reach out for support.  Youth and Young Adults of Color who are interested, I have a list of UU ministers and religious professionals of color who are willing to provide chaplain support during the holidays.  Please contact me for a list of their names.

You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://livingmosaic.blogs.uua.org/

Living My Faith,

Rev. Monica

Hi Family,

I hope this message finds you and your family well.  I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Central Midwest District Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association’s fall retreat last week.  The topic for the retreat was “Whose Are We.”  For two days, we reflected on relationships with colleagues, our personal ministries, a Higher Power, etc…  In addition to pondering the above questions, I also participated in a morning worship service titled, “Whose Are We”, by providing the following closing words,

Whose Are We?

our parents and partners

our siblings

our children

our pets

Whose Are We?

our neighbors

our friends

our co-workers

our congregations

Whose Are We?

the powerful and the powerless

those who suffer and

those who cause the suffering

Whose Are We?

the 6 generations that have passed

the 6 generations yet to come

the great cloud of witness

Whose Are We?

Whose Are We?

Whose Are We Not?

I invite you to respond to the questions, “Whose are we and Whose am I” with your family, friends, youth group, or co-workers.  After you do so, I would love to hear about your experience.

You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic.

I Love You,

Rev. Monica

Hello Family,
In the month of June we will celebrate Fathers Day and the beginning of Summer.  June is also a month in which cities across the world will host Gay Pride events.  After many years of not attending Pride events, I decided to show my Pride and celebrate with Milwaukee’s LGBT community last weekend.  After walking around the grounds and visiting most of the booths and food venders, I settled in at the LGBT Center of Southeast WI booth, where I socialized and talked about present and future programming at the Center.  As darkness fell, people begin to gather in the main stage area for the final concert and headline performer LeAnn Rimes.
Okay, I will admit to having a love/unlike relationship with Country Music which stems in part from the less than accepting history of the genre toward the LGBT community and people of color.  So, I was undecided as to whether or not I would attend the concert.  Just as I decided to head home, the music started and I found myself swaying to the beat, singing along and moving closer to the stage.  LeAnn was phenomenal in her performance, sharing about how her life influences her music and the lessons she has learned the past year.
One lesson she learned is the power of forgiving and asking for forgiveness.  From personal experience, I know it is harder to ask for forgiveness than it is to forgive.  What I have learned from my years in recovery is that it is even harder for me to forgive myself which is where I need to begin if I want to change how I treat myself and others.
Over the next month, I want you to ponder the following questions.  When was the last time you forgave yourself?  Is there someone who you need to ask for forgiveness?  Is there someone who you need to forgive?
As always, I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Hi Family,
I go through periods of time when I stop watching or reading the news to protect my mental health.  Part of last week was one of those times.  It felt like my head was going to spin off with the constant coverage of the Royal Wedding, people questioning President Obama’s place of birth and the upcoming trial of Casey Anthony.  Just when I though it was safe to watch the news again, Osama bin Laden was killed.  At first, I was amazed at the spontaneous celebrations and puzzled at the number of people who wanted OBL’s death photos released.  I dismissed the celebrations as people exhaling after almost 10 years of waiting for the next attack by OBL and his followers on U.S. soil.  I equated people’s curiosity to see the photos with our inability to look away at a car accident as we drive past.  Then, as the days passed, I began to wonder if we as a nation were not becoming what we despise in others.  For example, I recalled the name calling and demonization of those in other lands who cheered after 9/11 and other events when U.S. citizens or soldiers were killed.
Holding all the above in my heart and mind, I started thinking about our first UU Principle which calls us to “Affirm and Promote the Inherent Worth and Dignity of every person” and I will add dead or alive.  So I ask you, what does the first UU Principle mean to you?  How do you apply it to your life?  Do you have conditions as to who qualifies?  Does the first principle apply to a person who is considered evil?
I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Hi Family,
Last August the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office sponsored the first annual Multicultural Leadership School (MLS) for Youth and Young Adults of Color.  The second annual MLS will be held in Boston, August 5-9, 2011.  The MLS is open to all UUs who identify as a person of color ((Native American, Asian, Arab, Latino/a, African descent, trans-racially adopted, bi-racial and multiracial) and are 15-30 years old.  Please share the following information about the MLS with your congregation, youth group, RE class, minister, DRE, district Youth Steering Committee, friends and family.
The Unitarian Universalist Association like the United States has a growing number of people of color.  As this trend continues, UU congregations, districts and continental committees will need youth and young adults of color to take on leadership.  However, there are challenges when a member of a minority group who is often marginalized takes on leadership responsibilities.  Examples of challenges are tokenism, racism, and a high rate of burn-out due to over-commitment and a lack of preparation for leadership.   Therefore, the Multicultural Leadership School will focus on leadership development for youth and young adults of color that will prepare them to lead the way in supporting a multicultural, anti-racist, anti-oppressive Unitarian Universalist faith community.
The (MLS) is a training designed specifically for UU Youth and Young Adults (age 15-30) of Color.  The goal of the training is to equip participants to be leaders in their UU congregation, district or continental committee. The three and a half day school will feature experienced facilitators who will be intentional in providing participants with experiences that will foster relationship building, leadership skills, racial/ethnic identity development, inter-cultural collaboration and deepening of faith identity. At the conclusion of the training, participants will have a new community of peers, stronger and more confident leadership abilities and a stable foundation for sustainable leadership in Unitarian Universalist congregations and other Unitarian Universalist communities and organizations.
Applications are due May 15, 2011.  Please apply at
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youth/identity-based/color/158494.shtml
As always, I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Dear Family,
It seems a lifetime ago since I wrote my February newsletter column.  In the past 30 days people in North Africa wanting freedom, political choice and economic opportunities have peacefully revolted and forced oppressive political leaders out of power.  As I write this column, I am watching Al Jazeera English and the unfolding rebellion in Libya.  And in my home state of Wisconsin, public employees and their allies have been protesting against legislation that would weaken union membership and their power.
The change that is happening in this country and other parts of the world is scary and can tap into the deepest part of our fears.  I was once told that the only thing in life I can count on is change.  I find that on some days I embrace change with open hands and heart.  While on other days, I fear change and resist it with the all the energy I have.  How do you deal with change?  What goes through your mind when you realize change is in your life?  How much do you fear change?
I think the following poem by Sara Moores Campbell will be helpful during the changing and fearful times we live in.
Love Casts Out Fear
In fear we isolate ourselves.
In love, we connect with others.
In fear, we become immobilized.
In love, we are empowered to act.
In fear, we judge others.
In love, we seek justice.
In fear, we distrust.
In love, we trust.
In fear, we seek punishment.
In love, we seek mercy and forgiveness.
In fear, we see death.
In love, we see life.
In fear, we retreat.
In love, we reach out.
Let us reach out in love and support one another through change and fear.
As always I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica